Friday, March 11, 2011

Food sovereignty in Lebanon

This is food sovereignty as seen by USAID: High tech high capital farming out of soil to increase exports of highly perishable crops. And look who gets the funding: Foundations belonging to some of the richest people in Lebanon???? Aren't they also predominantly March 14 (Safadi recently shifted to the Mikati camp) (Thanks Rania)

"U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly inaugurated the five-year, $12 million Developing Hydroponics to Access International Markets (DHAIM) program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).The DHAIM program will help establish hydroponic production of high-value fruit, vegetables and flowers in Lebanon with the long-term goal of improving earnings and livelihoods of rural Lebanese producers in this sector.

The launch event included the signing of sub-agreements between ACDI/VOCA, the primary implementing partner, and seven local sub-partners for the implementation of DHAIM activities: Arcenciel, Hariri Foundation, Rene Moawad Foundation, Safadi Foundation, and the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Sidon, Tripoli, and Zahle.

It will target approximately 1000 greenhouse owner representing over one third of the greenhouse producers of these crops in Lebanon, and is expected to increase related exports by at least 50 percent."